Compost
Creating a compost is one
way to help keep plant life healthy in a natural way. Compost
is essentially organic materials which have decomposed. These
materials can be used to infuse the soil with nutrients and also
prevent erosion of soil. The organic materials used to create
compost would decompose naturally but this process is accelerated
for the purpose of converting the material with composting material. Composting
also help use to leave less of a Carbon Footprint behind.
What are the benefits of compost?
Compost materials can be very beneficial
to the overall health of a garden. There are a number of
benefits to using compost on the soil. One of these benefits
is that compost can introduce nutrients into the soil. Another
advantage is that wet soils with a clay like consistency
will drain better if compost is used. Soils which are sandy
in consistency will retain more moisture in the presence
of compost. Compost can also be used to encourage beneficial
organisms to enter the garden. Earthworms and some other
insects can help to improve the quality of the garden by
acting as predators to eliminate insects which are harmful
to the garden. Kitchen waste can be disposed of naturally
and not end up in our trash cans which then end up at the
landfills and then produce harmful gases into our environment.
How do you make compost?
Creating compost is a fairly simple
process. Organic material such as leaves, grass clippings,
organic kitchen wastes and some paper products can be used
to create compost. Kitchen waste which can be converted to
compost includes, but is not limited to fruit and vegetable
peels, coffee grinds and eggshells. To begin the process
of composting select an area of approximately three feet
by three feet in size. This will create a large enough surface
area to produce the levels of heat necessary to sterilize
the materials making them safe for use in a garden. Create
a six inch layer of organic materials such as grass trimmings,
leaves and kitchen wastes to begin the process. Next cover
this initial layer with three to six inches of completed
compost, organic soil or manure. Continue layering the materials
in this manner until the pile is approximately three feet
tall.
What happens next?
During the composting process the pile should be kept moist
but not wet. This is important because compost which is too
wet will not foster the growth of beneficial organisms. It
is important to keep the compost pile in an area which is
partially shaded. This will prevent the pile from drying out.
A compost pile which is too dry may not decompose properly.
It is also important to aerate the compost pile frequently.
This will minimize odors and will also ensure the entire pile
receives enough oxygen to decompose.
What can you do with the compost?
Once the compost is completed it can be used in a home garden.
One use of compost is to fortify the planting soil with additional
nutrients. Compost can be mixed with the planting soil prior
to planting to create an environment which is more beneficial
to plant growth. Compost is most rich in nutrients when it
is first completed. For this reason compost should be utilized
immediately. As compost sits idle the nutrients begin to diminish.
Compost can also be used as mulch. In this capacity the compost
can prevent weeds and insects, keep soil temperatures stable
and prevent soil erosion.
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